Services News

C-Com Adds Russian Language Support

C-Com Satellite Systems has added Russian language support to its iNetVumobile antenna systems. C-Com says this feature is being made available to address the growing demands of the Russian market.

The iNetVu7000 series controllers are integrated with a Windows-based software tool that provides a selectable language option, allowing the user to configure and operate the iNetVu system in his/her native language. Given the increase in the number of C-Com manufactured antennas destined for the Russian market, a Cyrillic version user interface is now available to Russian customers.

DirecTV Bundles Service with Hughes and ViaSat

Satellite pay-TV company DirecTV has signed new agreements with satellite broadband providers ViaSat and Hughes that will allow U.S. customers to bundle their video and high-speed Internet services.

DirecTV will offer ViaSat’s Exede service and Hughes’ HughesNet Gen4 satellite broadband services to customers living in mostly unserved, rural areas later this year. The new offering will be coupled with triple-play packages from Verizon, AT&T, Century Link and other telco providers and provided at bundled pricing.

Hughes Network Systems has signed a technology cooperation memorandum of understanding with the Russian Satellite Communications Co. (RSCC) to explore the development of multimedia video and broadband Internet services via RSCC satellites in Russia.

Hughes will examine the possibility of deploying its research and production capabilities on Russian territory. RSCC said it would leverage Hughes’ experience in developing and managing satellite communications networks in Russia. RSCC added that it is willing to consider providing Hughes with the necessary ground and space infrastructure at RSCC’s Space Communication Centers to conduct testing and develop new solutions. The companies expect to develop a full-scale partnership cooperation program in 2013 that will aim to offer low-cost solutions for public and private entities interested in multiple-system services.

SatLink Opens New Tel Aviv Playout Center

SatLink Communications has opened a new HD playout center in the heart of the broadcast district in Tel Aviv, Israel.

SatLink said the new playout center would strengthen its ability to provide global satellite transmission services by offering content management, digital archival, content localization, disaster recovery and OTT programming to their existing and acquired customer base.

SatLink purchased the playout center from Israeli television production facility provider MTVS Studios. The facility will be connected to SatLink’s teleport facilities to offer global content distribution over satellite, fiber or IP communication channels.

Thuraya Partners with GTNT to Launch MSS Service in Russia

MSS provider Thuraya Telecommunications has launched its mobile satellite services in Russia in a collaborative effort with its regional partner, GTNT.

GTNT will act as Thuraya’s sole service partner in Russia. Thuraya and GTNT will work to provide uninterrupted satellite communications services to federal, departmental and corporate users in Russia’s energy, petrochemical, construction, logistics, forestry, relief and media sectors. In addition to advanced satellite-based voice and data services, Thuraya also will offer satellite-roaming facilities to the Russian GSM market, allowing consumers to instantly roam on Thuraya’s network and make and receive calls by inserting their GSM SIM cards into a Thuraya handset.

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